Train dispatching system for railroads



11,990,472 I "TRAIN DISPATGHING SYSTEM FOR RAILRoADs F. L, DoDGsoN iFiled April 29, 1927l I l I l I I I I I rw. 1.2;-1935 F. i.. DQDGSON1,990,472

A l TRAI DISPATCHING SYSTEM Fok RAILROADS Filed April 29, 1927 ssheets-sheet 2.

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Train No.

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Stanleg Yard Stoneg Ridge Luckeg Pembervlle 'Woodside Prairie Depot Feb.12, 1935. F`, 1 DoDGsoN TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS FiledApril 29, 1927 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. l2, 1935 TRAINDISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RMLRS Frank Lamont Dodgson, Rochesten-N. Y., as-

signor to Genera-l Railway Signal Company,

Rochester, N. Y.

Application April 29, 1927, Serial No. 187,508

20 Claims.

This invention relates to systems for dispatching trains from a centralpoint through the agency of signal indications, and more particularly tomeans for indicating or reporting at the Y central control point themovement of trains at the different points along a portion of therailroad under control of the operator at that central point.

In connection with handling trains by signal indications from a. centralpoint, as distinctive from train orders, it is important that theoperator have complete and accurate information with respect to themovement of trains under his control, their location, direction ofmovement, and time of passing certain points. To handle the trainsemciently, the operator should have complete information with respect totrain movements, not only as to existing conditions, but also for alimited time in th-e past. The time at which a given train, traveling ina given direction, passes a given point is essential information to theoperator, as well as the existing lccation or position of trains. Also,it is desirable that the past performance and existing status of trainlocation be indicated or manifested to the operator in such a way as toenable him to show, as a reminder, contemplated meets or passes which hemay forecast from time to time.

With these and other considerations in mind, one of the objects of thepresent invention is to provide an arrangement of circuits and devicesof which the time ci occupancy of a track circuit, which is ordinarilyone end of a siding, may be indicated eiciently and economically byutilizing x the same line wire employed for controlling the signals andfor operation or" the switch at that location. l` ore specifically, itis proposed to utilize the interruption of the line circuit at a timewhen its energization is not necessary for operating a switch orclearing signals. to transmit the indication of the presence of a train.

Another object of the invention is to devise a system of communicatingand recording info-rmaticn concerning train movements in such a way thatthe operator has conveniently available at all times the necessaryinformation with respect to the past performance and present status, ofthe location and identication of trains, the position of switches andindications of signals, and the like, including the factor of time,whereby the operator is enabled to handle the trains is his territory bysignal indication alone in the most eicient manner and with minimumdelay.

The organization and arrangement of instrumentalities and meanspermitting the operator to exercise control over the indications oftrackway and cab signals, and the position of switches, together withthe transmission and recording of all the necessary data with respect totrain op-A eration and movement, provides for carrying out a novelmethod of dispatching trains.

Other objects, advantages and characteristic features of the inventionwill be in part apparent, i and in part specifically pointed out, as thedescription progresses.-

En the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically withvarious conventional resignations, a simpliiied arrangement ofcontrolcircuits for one end of a passing siding embodying the presentinvention; Fig. 2 shows l5 a mcdiied arrangement oi the circuits for theindicating means at the tower or central control point;

Fig. 3 shows a still further modied arrangev ment for controlling theindicating means inthe y tower;

Fig. 4 shows a typical arrangement for one form or a graphic chart,constituting one of the. instrumentalities employed in connection withthe present invention; and

Fig. 5 shows a trackdiagram and representation of the control levers andindicating lamps.

In illustrating the invention, it has been shown for simplicity andconvenience, adapted and applied to a train dispatching system of thetype disclosed in the application or S. N. Wight, Ser. No. 120,423, ledJuly 3, 1926, although it should be understood that this is merely atypical embodiment of the invention. According to this specificapplication or adaptation of the inven- V tion, a single track railwayis contemplated, equipped with the well known A. P. B. type of automaticblock signals, `with a single control wire, constituting with a commonwire, a control circuit between the tower at Vthe central control pointand each end of each passing siding; this control circuit beingpolarized and providing all the necessary control for the operation andcontrol of the switch machine and signals at that endv oi the siding, aswell as the control of the ini Fig. 1 shows at one end of a passingsiding K, conveniently referred to as the east end, together with thesignals 1, 1a, 2, and 2a for governing trafc in both directions into andbetween passing sidings, these signals being controlled in a mannershown and described in detail in said Wight application. The main trackrails 3 and trac-k rails 4 of the siding include insulated joints 5segregating the usual detector track section, having track battery 6 andthe detector track relay 2T. The track switch on the east end of thissiding conveniently designated TSE, is preferably operated by a suitablepower operated switch machine SM, although this track switch may beoperated by hand through the medium of the usual switch stand, if sodesired. The switch machine includes suitable power operated meanseither pneumatic or electrical, and in the conventional arrangementshown includes a series motor having an armature 10 and a field winding11, which motor may be Voperated to its normal position through thenormal wire N and to the reverseposition through the reverse wire Rthrough suitable pole changer contacts operated by the switch machinemechanism in a manner as well-understood by those skilled in the art,and as more fully described in the patent to Howe No. 1,466,903 grantedSept. 4, 1923, so that the operating circuits for Vthis switch machineneed not be specically considered. It may, however, be pointed out thatthe switch machine SM can notA be operated unless the relay Z isenergized inthe proper direction and the approach locking relay ALR isenergized. This approach locking relay ALR may be controlled in a mannermore clearly pointed out in the application of Wight heretofore referredto. Although no specific control circuits for the signals 1, la, 2 and21 have been shown, these signals are controlled in accordance withtraffic conditions ahead the position the switch machine is assuming atthe time, and the energized conditions of the control relay Z, in amanner as more specifically disclosed in the application of Wightheretofore mentioned and this control has beenconventionally shown bythe contacts and 91, and the dotted lines 92, 93, 94, and 96.

With the switch machine SM shown there is associated a switch machineindicating relay SMR, which is energized through the following circuitwhen the switch machine assumes either of its extreme positions, but isde-energized if the switch machine assumes an intermediatepositionz-beginning at the terminal B of a suitable source of energy,contacts 12-13-14 or contacts 15-16-1'7, depending upon whether theswitch machine is in its reverse or its normal position respectively,wire 18, winding of the relay SMR to the common return wire C connectedto the other side of said source of energy. This switch machine relaySMR by its front contact 19 controls a repeater relay RR through acircuit readily traced in the drawings. This repeater relay RR isslow-acting for reasons more clearly pointed out hereinafter. The switchmachine control circuits are controlled directly by the contact 54 ofthe mechanical stick relay MR havingcoils 55 and 56 and of which thecontact 54 remains in the position to which it has last been actuated. f

The dotted rectangle T represents a tower located a considerabledistance from the siding K under consideration. In this tower there maybe located a large number of levers for controlling the signals andswitch machines at the ends of various passing sidings, of which thelever L only has been shown. The equipment for one unit in the towerembodying the present invention also includes an indicating relay IR,which is connected in series with a line circuit heretofore mentioned,and controls the illumination of an indicating lamp I, which iscontrolled in a manner which will appear when the operation of thesystem is taken up.

Operation-It should be noted that when the lever is in its normalneutral position that the relay Z is de-energized and its neutralcontacts 20 and 90 are in the retracted position, so that no current caniiow to the mechanical stick relay MR even though the polar contact 21assumes one or the other extreme positions. Let us now assume that theoperator in the tower wishes traine to proceed over the main track andin order to do so moves his lever L to the right, and thereby completesa circuit which may be traced as follows:- beginning at the battery 22,wire 24, lever L, wire 25, winding of the line relay LR, line wire 26,contact 27 of the repeater relay RR, wire 28, contact 29 of the switchmachine relay SMR, wire 30, winding of the relay Z, wire 31, frontcontact 32, of the detector track relay 2T, common return wire 33, backto the battery 22. The completion of this circuit causes the polarcontact 21 to remain in its normal right hand position and causes theneutral contact 20 to be picked up, and with the relay Z energized tothis position current may flow to the winding 55 of the relay MR, butsince the contact 54 already assumes the right hand position noparticular effect is produced. The energization of the relay Z throughclosure of the contact 90 permits clearing of a main track signal, sothat trac may move over the main track in response to clearing of suchsignals in a manner and by circuits as clearly pointed out in theapplication of Wight to which reference has been made. In thisconnection it is desired to point out that the ow of current in thecircuit just traced not only places the relay Z in its energizedcondition but also energizes the indicating relay IR and causes thecontact 34 to assume the raised dotted position. If now a train entersupon the detector track circuit in response to the clearing of one orthe other of the signals 1 or 2 the detector track relay 2T will assumeits de-energized position and in so doing will cause the cleared signalto move to the stop position through the usual control provided betweenthe detector track relay and signal in question. Also, this entrance ofa train upon the detector track circuit causes the contact 32 of thetrack relay 2T, to drop, thereby de-energizing the relays Z and IR andthereby completing a circuit for the indicating lamp I which may betraced as follows:-beginning at the battery 22, wire 24, lever contact'L, wire 35, back contact 34 of the indif eating relay IR, wire 36,indicating lamp I, wire 37 thro-ugh the common return wire 33 connectedto the side of battery 22. The indicating lamp I will remain energizedso long as the detector track circuit is occupied, or in other words, acontinuing indication is received at the tower as to the condition ofthe detector track circuit relay located at a distant siding. As soon asthe train passes off of the detector track circuit the contact 32 of thedetector track relay 2T is again closed thereby causing re-energizationof the relay Z and IR and by reason of theraising of contact 34 of Letus now assume that the operator in theV tower wishes a west hound trainto enter the siding or" the passing siding K. In order to do so theswitch machine SM i ust be operated to the reverse position and in orderto accomplish this the operator must act and either put the signals tostop or operate the switch machine before the approach locking relay ALRis de-energized due to an approaching train for reasons given in saidWight application. Let us assume that the operator acts in time andmoves 'the lever L to the left hand position before the approach lockingrelay ALR is ile-energized dueto the approaching train. Movement oi thelever L to the left hand position closes the followingcircuiti-beginning at the battery 23, wire 38, Contact of the lever L inits left hand position, wire 25, winding of the line relay LR, wire 26,-contact 27 of the repeater relay RR, wire 28, iront contact 29 of theswitch machine relay SMR, wire 30, winding of the relay Z, wire 31,iront contact 32 of the track relay 2T, common return wire 33, connectedto the other side of the battery 23. The completion of this circuitcauses 'current of reverse polarity to iiow in the winding oi the relayZ, thereby causing the relay Z to be energized to the reversed or lefthand position and also causes the indicating relay IR to assume itsenergized position. With the relay Z energized to its leftY handposition, the following circuit for the coil 56 or" the relay MR iscoinpletedz-beginning at the terminal B, wire 4U, front contact 41 oithe relay ALR, wire 42, iront contact of the relay Z, wire 44, polarcontact 2l, wire 58, coil 56 oi the relay MR, to the other terminal C.This operates the contact 54 to the left hand dotted position and causesthe following circuit for operating the switch machine to becornpletedz-beginning at the terminal B of a suitable source of energy,contact 54 in its left hand dotted position, the reverse control wire Rof the switch machine SM pole changer contacts 45, 46 and 47, wire 48,eld winding 11 of the switch machine motor, wires 49 and 50, polechanger contacts 51, 52 and 53, armature 10 of the switch machine motorto the common return wire C connected to the other side of said sourceof energy.

The flow of current in this circuit causes the switch machine to bemoved to the reverse, or take sidinsT position, and when it has beenmoved to this positionand the relay Z is still energLzed, the takesiding signal 1A will be cleared for reasons pointed out in theapplication of Wight by the reason of the control illustrated by thedotted lines 92 and 94.V It should be noted that when operation of theswitch machine was started the switch machine relay SMR wasfle-energized. De-energization oi the relay SMR causes the contacts 19and 29 to assume the retracted position thereby cle-energizing the relayIR at the tower and causing the indicating lamp I to be lighted.De-energization of the relay SMR however also causes the repeater relayRR to be de-energized, and after a time by reason of its slow actioncauses the contact 27 to assume its retracted position, and this againcauses the relay IR to be energized through the line circuit heretoforetraced with the exception that the wire 281 is substituted for the wire28. When the switch machine has assumed the reverse position the switchmachine relay SMR Yis again energized, thereby raising its contact 29and again opening the line circuit and de -energizingVV the indicating.relay -IR and 4cansinvgthe indicating lamp I to be againy illuminated.Energization of the relay SMR, however, also picks up thecontact 19andafter a short interval of time causes the repeater relay RR to raisethe Contact 27 and again causes energization of the line relay IR andcauses extinguishment of the indicating lamp I. In other words, when theswitch machine SM is operated the indicating lamp I is momentarilyenergized when the switch machine is started and is again momentarilyenergized when the switch machine has completed its operating stroke.The approach of the trainA under consideration when moving into thesiding of passing siding K will cause the indicatinglamp I to beenergized so long as this train occupies the detector track circuit forreasons heretoiore given.

Modified indicating means at tower (Fig. 2) In some cases it isdesirable to be able to store the indication, so to speak, that is,provide means whereby if the indicating lamp'I has once been energizedit will either remain energized in spite of the movement of the trainoff of the detector track circuit, or another'substitute lamp will beenergized thereafter until this substitute lamp has been manuallyextinguished. Referring to Fig. 2 such a substitute lamp IEL has beenshown. In Fig. 2 of the drawings the control for the line circuitincluding the line wire 26 the indicating, relay IR andthe indicatinglamp I, is the saine as that shown in 1 and for this reason thecomponent parts thereof have been given like reference characters. Inaddition to the indication relay IR there is provided in the tower Tshown in Fig. 2 of the drawings a stick indicating relay SR. This stickrelay SR preferably has operating characteristics such that if the leverL is moved to either the rightor left hand position for the purpose ofenergizing the line wire 26 the stick relay SR will not be able to pickup during the short time that the contact 60 of the indicating relay IRis still in its retracted position after energization of the linecircuit 26. In other words, if the lever L is moved to the right handposition the ilow of current in the line circuit and indicating relay IRpicks up the contacts 34 and 60 oi this relay so that both the lamps Iand Ia v are extinguished. If now, the line circuit including the wire26 is opened at a point such as at the contact 32 of the track relay 2T(see Fig. l) the indicating relay IR will'be de-energized, therebyilluminating the indicating lamp I for reasons heretofore given, andalso the stick relay SR is energized because it is connected in multiplewith the lamp I. As soon as the stick relay SR has assumed its energizedposition its stick contact 6l is closed thereby closing a stick circuitfor same which may be traced as followsz--beginning at the battery 22,wire 24, lever L, Wire 62, normally closed push button contact 63, wire64, stick contactv 61 of the relay SR, wires 65 and 66, winding oftherelay SR, wire 6'?, switch 66, wire A69 to the common return wire 33connected to the other side of the battery 22. Energization of the stickrelay SR will of course also close the front contact 700i this relay andthereby close a circuit for the supplemental indicating lainp Ia, whichmay be readily traced in the drawings. It should be noted that after thetrain has passed off of the detector track circuit and the indicatingrelay IR is again energized, that the indicating lampI will beextinguished but the stick relay SR will remain stuck up andconsequently the supplemental indicating lamp IEL will remainilluminated.

The stick relaySR and in turn the indicating lamp,

SR, and this stick circuit will not be re-established upon return of thepush button contact 63 to normal after the stick relay SR has onceassumed its cie-energized position. Similarly the return of the lever Lto the neutral position will drop the stick relay SR and extinguish thesupplemental indicating lamp In. If the supplemental stick indicatingfeature is not desired at any time, the operator may open the switch 68and thereby avoid operation of the stick relay SR and a stick indicationin response to operation of this relay SR. Modification (Fig. 3).-InFig. 3 of the drawings has been shown a tower equipment very similar tothat shown in Fig. 2, except that only one indicating lamp is shownwhich may be caused to function as the indicating lamp I shown in Figs.1 and 2 or may be caused to function like the indicating lampl I2Lshown` in Fig. 2. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 the lever L hasoperatively connected thereto an additional contact L1. It readilyappears that ii the lever L and its contacts L1 are moved to Yeitherextreme position that the indication relay IR will be picked up forreasons heretofore given, and that de-energization of the indicationrelay IR will cause the stick relay SR1 to be picked up through thefollowing circuit, providing the manually operable switch 681 isclosed:-beginning at the battery 7l, wires 72, contactvL1 of the leverL, wire 73, back contact 74 of the indicating relay IR, wires 75 and 76,winding of the stickrelay SR1, wire 77, manually operable switch 531,wires 78 and 79, back to the battery 71. With the stick relay SR1 onceenergized it will be stuck up through the following circuiti-beginningat the battery '71, wire 72, contact L1 of the lever L, wires '13 and80, stick Contact Sl of the stick relay SR1, Vwires 82 and 76, windingof the'stick relay SR2, wire '77. contact switch 681, wires '78 and 79back to the battery 71. Also, it should be noted that the lamp 1b willbe illuminated when the stick relay SR1 is energized, because it isconnected in multiple therewith, and further, itY should be noted thatthe indicating lamp lb is energized even though the manuahy operableswitch 681 is open, this by reason of the following circuitz-beginningat the battery Tl, wire 72, contact L1 of the lever L, wire 73, backcontact "le of the line relay LR, wires '75 and 83, indicating lamp 1b,wires 84 and '79, back to the battery 71. Or in other words, if themanually operable switch 681 is left open the indicating lamp lb givesindications the same as do the indicating lights I in Figs. l and 2, andif the switch 631 is maintained closed the indicating line lb willfunction like the indicating light Ia in Fig. 2, that is, will if onceilluminated remain illuminated until veither the lever L is restored tothe intermediate or neutral position or the switch 581 is manuallyopened. v

A characteristic feature of the indicating means is that the indicationof the occupancy vof the detector track circuit, and also the operationof the switch machine, are obtained by controlling the same line circuitemployedfor governing the opera-A tion of the switch machine and theindications of Vthetrackway signals. This isbased on the premise thatthis control line circuit may be deenergized Vwhen and so long as atrain occupies the detector track circuit, without interfering with theuse of this line circuit for the control of the signal indications,because while said detector track circuit is l occupied, the signalstotbe cleared energization of said line control circuit are neces,-sarily at stop. In other words, a single control line circuit isutilizedfor different functions at different times. Likewise, theinterruption of the control line circuit, to provide the indications ofswitch machine operation, do not interfere with the function of the linecircuit andv train `clears that detector track circuit. Thev lighting ofthis indicating lamp, orY the operation of what other equivalentindicating means is employed, does not of itself inform the operator thedirection in which the train is traveling, or the specific train numberof designations of that train. While the operator may keep in mind, as asort of mental process, a location and direction of movement of thedierent particular trains in his territoryvfrom time Yto time, andconsequently be able to identify the lighting of a particular indicatinglamp I with a p-articular train traveling in a certain direction, it isobviouslyv desirable to assist the operator and aid in avoiding mistakesby making it .unnecessary for him to rely upon his memory entirely. Inaccordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide a graphicchart, which is in a sense a 'recording or indicating means manuallyoperated by the dis-1 patcher, so arranged and organized that it may bemanipulated in conjunction with the control levers and-the indicatinglamps so as to provide all the necessary data for the dispatcher andfurther facilitate his manipulation of the whole. system in a way tominimize mistakes.

Thisgraphic chart may take various specific forms;'and only one typicalarrangement has been illustrated in Fig. 4. At the top of the chart areblanks for data about the number and make-up of the trains. The verticallines show divisions of time indicated by the figures at the top.Horizontal lines represent the ends of the sidings at the placesdesignated by the names. These horizontal lines may be equaly spaced onthe chart, irrespective of the distance between the sidingS; or thelength of the sidings; or, ifv desired, these horizontal lines may bespaced apart approximately to scale in accordance with the distancealong the track. Gloviously, the chart may be arranged so thathorizontal lines indicate timeand vertical linesthe ends of the sidings.

In using this chart, it is contemplated that the operator, whenever anyone of the indicating lamps lights, will make a short vertical line, asindicated by the reference number 100 at the propel' point on the chartcorresponding to the existing time and end of the siding correspondingto the light lighted. For example, the mark designated 100 indicatesthat a train entered the detector track circuit at the west end of thesiding at Luckey at 11:52. By joining these marks, the operator obtainsa graphic record of the train performance.

As each train comes onto the portion of track under( the control of theoperator, he is advised of the number of this train and its make-up, andstarts -on the chart a line for this particular trainnumber. Forexample, referring to Fig. 4,

train No. X140 was reported ready and entered the territory of theoperator at Stanley Yard at 12:02. As this train advances and causeslighting of the several indicating lamps, the operator is able to make amark on the chart to show the time this train passed each detector trackcircuit, and by joining these marks obtains a graphic record of thetrain performance.

The particular markings on the chart, at Fig. 4 are intended torepresent the beginning of a chart record made by an operator coming onduty at about 12 oclock noon. This operator coming on duty copies fromthe record chart of the previous operator, or observes the manipulationof the system for a short time, enough to familiarize himself with theexisting location oi trains. For convenient reference in discussing theparticular marking shown on the chart in Fig. 4, there has been shown inFig. 5 a typical arrangement of the track diagram, with its levers andindicating lights, for the section of railroad covered by the chart ofFig. 4; and Fig. 5 shows how the trains, as shown by the chart of Fig.4,-would be located on the railroad at theV selected time of 12:10.Referring to Fig. 4, and starting at the top of the chart along thevertical line indicating 12:10, it will be noted that according tothechart, train X140 eastbound left the east end of the siding at StanleyYard at 12:04 andis now somewhere between Stanley Yard and Stoney Ridge,as shown in Fig. 5. The markings at Pemberville indicate that eastboundtrain No. 84 arrived at the west end of the siding at Pemberville at12:06, and the train conductor was informed by the operator over thetelephone that he could do switching until 12:16, this information beingshown by the dotted line marked S terminating at the vertical linerepresenting 122.16. The chart also shows that train No. 59 westboundleft Woodside at 12:04 and is now on its way toward Pemberville. Asshown by the chart, and also in Fig. 5, train No. 44 entered thedetector track circuit at the west end of the siding at Hatton at 12:l0; and the work extra WE i's on the siding at Hatton, having returnedahead cf the time assigned to it, indicated by the dotted lines, to workbetween Norris and Hatton.

TheA chart also provides a convenient place for making notations ofcontemplated meets, instructions issued, and the like to guide theoperator in the manipulation oiE his levers. For example, after making asurvey of the probable train performance, and having concluded that thework extra WE will be free to work between Hatton. and Norris until1:10, the operator can note this, decision by the dotted linesdesignated 101. As another illustration, the operator may put thenotation of the figures 84 above a horizontal line with the iiguresA 59beneath, as shown near the siding Pemberville, to indicate to him thattrain No. 84 is to goin the siding at Pemberville for train-No. 59.Notations and memoranda of other kinds can be readily adopted by theoperatorV to take care of various other contingencies and conditionsthat may arise.

A graphic chart, made as described, affords the operator all of thenecessary or desirable information with regard to the location andmovement of trains, past, present, and contemplated in the future, aswell as affording a permanent record of train performance. In making themarks on the chart, the operator of course follows the indicating lamps.Whenever a lamp lights,

he makes a mark at the place corresponding to that lampat the propertime and by associating this mark with other marks already made, he isable to identify positively the number of the train and its direction ofmovement causing that particular lamp to light. It is good practice forthe operator to make the mark on his chart, then move the correspondinglever and put out the light, this being a check to show that he hasrecorded the train movement.

The positions of the levers show what signals have been cleared and howthe switches are set. t is considered to be good practice for theoperator to keep at least twolevers moved ahead of each train. Forexample, referring to Fig. 5, when the lever L1 was restored to theneutral position to put out the lamp lighted by the passage of trainX140, the operator should move lever L3, assuming of course that thistrain X140 is to go past the siding at Stoney Ridge. It may be explainedhere that the righthand position of the levers is assumed to correspondwith the normal position or the switch, the direction of trame being setup by the sequence in which the levers are operated as previouslyexplained. Continuing the explanation of the significance of the leverpositions, and still referring to Fig. 5, lever L6 being in the lethandor reverse position shows that train No. 84, when it returns after theexpiration of the switching time (see Fig. 4), will go onto the siding;whereas lever L7 being to the right or normal position, shows that train59 will keep on the main track. Thus, the levers are already in positionfor a meet or" trains 84 and 59 at Pemberville; and the operator hasnothing further to do until one or the other of these trains causeslighting of an indicating lamp. 1f train 84 arrives first, as it shouldaccording to the schedule, the lamp for the lever L6 lights; and afterrecording this on the chart, the operator mayv put the lever L6 to thenormal position, clearing the signals for train 59. When train 59arrives and lights the lamp for lever L7, the operato-r after notingthis fact, may reverse the lever L7 as soon as train 59 hasV cleared thedetector track circuit, thereby permitting train 84 to come out. Theoperator should operate levers L5 and L8 as soon as proper toy do so, soas to keep two levers shifted ahead of each train. In operating thelever L5, the operator is guided by thenotation on his chart (see'Fig.4) to the effect that train 59 is to pass train X140 at Stoney Ridge sothat he knows the levers L5 and L4 should be operated to the normalposition.

Numerous other examples could be given to show how the position of thelevers, the indicatingv lamps, and the graphic chart of Fig. 4 all servein providing the operator with the necessary information for handlingthe trains. Each of these instrumentalities performs its part, and eachis essential to practicing the method of train dispatching constitutingthis invention. The lines and marks on the chart, for a given time, showthe position of each train. The position of the levers show how theswitches and signals have been operated to allow the trains to move. Ifthe chart is drawn approximately to scalewith reference to the distancesalong the track, lines of the proper slope, based upon the running timeof a given train, and started at the right point at one siding will givean approximate indication of the time of arrival of that train at thenext indicating point. If desired, suitable markings on the chart may beemployed to indicate the time of operation of the switches or of thelevers. In short, the chart may be used as a record of various kinds ofdata as may be desired.

`Possibly it is still not clear in the mind of one reading the foregoingdescription as to how a train standing on the side track of a passingsiding may be distinguished from one standing or running on the maintrack of such passing siding. To make this more clear I wish to pointout that when a train enters a side track two short lines in the form ofa letter L are drawn at that end of the siding where such train entersas indicated at 6 minutes past noon at the west end of the passingsiding Hatton; whereas for a train entering the main track a shortvertical line only is made as indicated at 11 minutes past noon at theeast end of this same passing siding. When a train leaves the main trackof a passing siding a similar vertical line is made and a diagonal lineis drawn to connect the two vertical lines as indicated at Pemberville11:56-11:58, at `Luckey 11:52-11:56 and at Stanley Yard 2 to 4 minutespast noon. Similarly in the case of a train leaving a siding a verticalline is drawn as indicated at the east end of Woodside at 4 minutes pastnoon, and this vertical line is then connected up to the L shaped entrymade at 11:50 by a horizontal line (as distinguished from a diagonalline) so as to indicate that the train in question occupied the siding.In other words, a train passing over a switch in its normal position isindicated by a Verticalfline, and a train passing over a switch in thereversed position is indicated by an L-shaped line (in this case thenormal position of the switch is the main track position and the reverseposition is take-siding position).

While certain specific apparatus and circuits,

c and certain particular steps in the method of train dispatching, havebeen shown and explained, it should be understood that the invention isnot limited to the specific illustrations, and that various changes,additions and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention.

What I claim is:-

1. In a dispatching system, the combination with a siding, a switchmachine for operating the track switch at one end of said siding, adetector track circuit at one end of said siding, signals governingtraiiic over said track switch, a control relay for controlling saidswitch machine and sigg nals, a line circuit controlled fromra distantcontrol point, manually operable means at said control point forenergizing and deenergizingsaid line circuit to control said relay,means opening said line circuit so long as said detector tracky circuitis occupied and when operation of said switch machine is initiated, andan indicator at said distant controlled point lighted so long as saidline circuit is open at said siding and said manually operable means isin its operated position.

2. Control and indicating apparatus for controlling the clearance of adistant signal and for indicating the passage of a train by such signalcomprising; a local tower housing a control lever having a contact; adistant signal; a track circuit adjacent said signal including the usualtrack relay; a control relay near said signal which if energized permitsclearing oi said signal if traiiic conditions in advance thereof areclear; an indi-A cating relay at the tower; a circuit including saidlever contact, said indicating relay, a contact closed when said trackrelay is energized and a source of energy in series; whereby saidindicating relay is de-energized so long as said track relay isde-energized and said lever contact is in a position to close saidcircuit at the tower end; and means giving a continued stored indicationif said indicating relay has'been once de-energized which continuesuntil manually canceled.

3. A control and indicating apparatus for controlling the clearance of adistant signal and for indicating the passage of a train by such signalcomprising; a local tower housing a control lever having a contact; adistant signal; a track circuit adjacent said signal including the usualtrack relay; a control relay near said signal which if energized permitsclearing of said signal if traffic conditions in advance thereof areclear; an indicating relay at the tower; a circuit includingsaid levercontact, said indicating relay, a front vcontact closed when said trackrelay is energized and a source of energy in series; whereby saidindicating relay is de-energized so long as said track relay isde-energized and saidlever contact is in position to close said circuitat the tower end; another relay which has a-pick-upcircuit including aback Contact of said indicating relayand has a stick circuit includingits own front contact and a normally closed manually operable circuitcloser; and indicating means rendered active if said another relay is inits energized condition; whereby said indicating means continues to givean indication after said indication relay has been once de-energized,even though only momentarily de-energized, until said manually operablecircuit closer is opened.

4. A system for controlling the operation of switches and signals andalso indicating train` movement over one line circuit comprising; apolarized control relay, a track relay, an indicating relay, a switchmachine and circuit controlling means automatically opened momentarilywhensaid switch machine starts or completes its cycle of operation; acircuit including in series said indicating relay, said circuitcontrolling means, said control relay and means opening said circuitsolong as said track relay is deenergized; manually operable controlmeans for energizing said line circuit with current of either ofopposite polarities or de-energizing it; and an indicating meansoperated by said indicating relay and efective While said line circuitis open and said control means is in position to energize it.

5. In a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatchersoice and a railway system having aV distant track switch; of a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector track circuitvassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement oi trains over said track switch; a controlrelayfor controlling said track switch and signal; a source of currentin said dispatchers oilice; an indicating relay in said dispatchersofce; a circuit including said source, said control relay and saidindicating relay in series; means in said circuit at said distant trackswitch for opening said circuit momentarily upon operation of saidswitch machine and opening said circuit continuously during occupancy ofsaid track circuit to effect a corresponding continuous deenergizationof said indication relay so long as said track circuit is occupied; andindicating means controlled by said indicating relay. y

6. In a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatchersofce and a railway system having a distant track switch; of a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector track circuitassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement of trains over said track switch; acontrolrelay for controlling said signal; stick control means controlledby said control relil lay for controlling said switch machine; a sourceof current in said dispatchers oice; an indication relay in saiddispatchers office; a circuit including said source,v control relay andsaid indicating relay in series; means in said circuit at said distanttrack switch for opening said circuit Amomentarily upon operation ofsaid switch machine and opening said circuit continuously duringoccupancy or" said track circuit to eiiect a correspondingdeenergization of said indication relay; and indicating means controlledcy said indieating relay.

7. In a dispatching system, the combination with local dispatchersoffice and a railway system having a distant track switch; oi a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector track ci 1cuitassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement of trains over said track switch; a controlrelay for controlling said track switch and signal; a source ci currentin dispatchers odos; an indicating relay in said dispatchers oice; acircuit including said source, said control relay and said indicatingrelay in serie means in said circuit at said distant track switch foropening said circuit momentarily upon operation of said switch machineand opening said circuit continuously during occupancy of said trackcircuit to eilect a corresponding deenergization or" said indicatingrelay; indicating means controlled by indicating relay, and means formaintain'- ing said indicating means active if once rendered activeuntil manually restored.

8. In a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatcher-soilice and a railway system having a distant track switch; oi a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector track circuitassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement of trains over said track switch; a controlrelay for controlling said signal; stick control means controlled bysaid control relay for controlling said switch machine, a source oicurrent in said dispatcher-s cnice; an indicating relay in saiddispatchers once; a circuit including said source, said control relayand said indicating relay in series; means in said circuit at saiddistant track switch for openinU said circuit momentarily upon operationoi switch machine and opening said circuit continuously during occupancyof said track circuit to effect a corresponding deenergization oi saidindication relay; indicatingr means controlled by said indicating relay,and means for maintaining said indicating means active ii once renderedactive until manually restored.

9. In a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatcherscnice and a railway system having a distant track switch; of a switchmachine ior operating said track switch; a detector track circuitassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement of trains over` said track switch; a controlrelay for controlling said track switch and signal; a source of currentin said dispatchers omce; an indicating relay in said dispatchers omoe;a circuit including said source, said control relay and said indicatingrelay in series; means in said circuit at said distant track switch foropening said circuit momentarily upon operation of said switch machineand opening said circuit continuously during occupancy of said trackcircuit to effect a corresponding deenergization or" said indicatingrelay; a repeater relay having a pick up circuit including a backcontact of said indicating relay and having a stick circuit including anormally closed manually operable contact, and two indicators, onerendered active when said repeater relay is energized and the otherrendered active when said indicating relay is deenergized, whereby saidone indi cator manifests that an indication has heen received untilmanually restored and the other in dicator manifests current conditionsof said detector track circuit.

il). In a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatchersoice and a rail-way system Ahaving a distant track switch; of a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector tr ck circuitassociated with said track and including a track relay; a signal forgoverning the movement of trains over said track switch; a control relayfor controlling said signal stick control means controlled by saidcontrol relay for controlling said switch machine, a source of currentin said dispatchers cnice; an indicating relay in said dispatchersoiiice; a circuit including' said source, said control relay and saidindicating relay in series; means in said circuit said distant trackswitch for opening said circuit continuously during occupancy of saidtrack circuit to eiiect a corresponding deenergisation of saidindicating relay; and indicating means controlled by said indicatingrelay.

ll. in a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatchersoffice and a railway systeni. a distant track switch; of a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector track circuitassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement of trains over said track switch; a controlrelay for controlling said track switch and signal; a source of currentin said dispatchers oice; an indicating relay in said dispatchersoffice; a circuit including said source, said control relay and saidindicating relay in series; means in said circuit at said distant trackswitch for opening said circuit so long as said track circuit isoccupied to effect a corresponding deenergization of said indicationrelay so long as said track circuit is occupied; and indicating meanscontrolled by said indicating relay.

12, In a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatchersoiiice and a railway systeni having a distant track switch; of a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector track circuitassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement of trains over said track switch; a controlrelay for controlling said track switch and signal; a source of currentin said dispatchers oiiice; an indicating relay in said dispatchersoffice; a circuit including said source, said control relay and saidindicating relay in series; means in said circuit at said distant trackswitch for opening said circuit during occupancy of said track circuitto eiiect a corresponding deenergization of said indication relay; andtwo indicators controlled by said indicating relay one indicator ofwhich is rendered effective so long as said indicating relay isdeenergized and the other indicator of which is effective until manuallyreleased even though said indicating relay has been energized in themeantime.

13. In a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatchersoiiice and a railway system having a distant track switch; of a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector track circuitassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement of trains over said track switch; a controlrelay for controlling said track switch and signal; a source of currentin said dispatchers office; an indicating relay in said dispatchersoice; a circuit including said source, said control relay and saidindicating relay in series; means in said circuit at said distant trackswitchfor opening said circuit during occupancy of said track circuit toeffect a corresponding deenergization of said indication relay; a stickrelay picked up upon deenergization of said indicating relay and havinga stick circuit including a manually operable contact, and twoindicators one of which is effective when said indicating relay isdeenergized and the other of which is efective when said stick relay isenergized.

14. In a dispatching system, the combination with a local dispatchersoffice and a railway system having a distant track switch; of a switchmachine for operating said track switch; a detector track circuitassociated with said track switch and including a track relay; a signalfor governing the movement of trains over said track switch; a controlrelay for controlling said track switch and signal; a source of currentin said dispatchers office; an indicating relay in said dispatchersoirlce; a circuit including said source, said control relay and saidindicating relay in series; means in said circuit at said distant trackYswitch for opening said circuit during occupancy of said track circuitto effect a corresponding deenergization of said indicating relay; astick relay picked up upon deenergization of said indicating relay andhaving a stick circuit including a contact closed only when a lever insaid oice is in a position to apply said source to said control relay,and two indicators one of which is effective when said indicating relay,is deenergized and the other of which is effective when said stick relayis energized. V

15. In combination, a railway trafficV governing device, a motor fordriving said device between two extreme positions, a normally closedcircuit controlling means controlled by said device and arranged to beopened for a brief interval during operation oi said device, aslow-releasing relay for controlling said motor, a quick-releasingrelay, an indicator controlled by said quickreleasing relay, and acircuit including said two relays and said circuit controlling means.

16. In combination with a railway switch, a

slow-releasing polarized relay, means for shifting said switch to itsnormal or reverse position according as the polarized relay is energizedin the normal or reverse direction, means for supplying current of onepolarity or the other to said polarized relay, an indication relayinterposed in series with said polarized relay, and means effectiveduring operation of said switch to break the circuit including said tworelays for a time interval long enough to de-energize said indicationrelay but not said polarized relay.

17. In combination, a railway traffic governing device, a polarizedrelay for controlling said device, a manually operable lever located ata point remote from the switch for controlling said polarized relay overa single pair or" wires, an indication relay interposed in one of saidwires and located adjacent said lever, and means controlled by saiddevice for at times opening the circuit for said polarized relay tocle-energize said indication relay for an interval of time too brief Atoallow said polarized relay to become de-energized.

18. In combination with a railway traiiic governing device, a rst relayfor controlling said device, an indication relay, a manually operablelever, means controlled by said lever for at times supplying current tosaid two relays in series, means controlled by said device for at timesopening said indication relay for a brief interval without opening saidfirst relay, and means operating under certain conditions of traicadjacent said device for continuously opening both said relays.

19. In combination, a railway traic governing device, a first relay forcontrolling said device, an indication relay, a manually controlledcircuit for at times supplying current to said rst relay and saidindication relay in series, and means responsive to an operation of saiddevice for interrupting said circuit for a time interval suiicient toopen said indication relay but not suicient to open said i'lrst relay. Y

20. In combination with a railway traflic governing device, a slowacting relay for controlling said device, a quick acting relay, amanually controlled lever, a circuit controlled by said lever andincluding said two relays in series, and means controlled by said devicefor at times interrupting said circuit for an interval of timesufiicient to open said quick acting relay but not said slow actingrelay.

FRANK LAMONT DODGSON.

